READERS of the Southern Daily Echo were revelling in the remarkable exploits performed by a British naval airman 100 years ago today.

In complete darkness from start to finish, he had flown over some German positions and dropped nine bombs that inflicted great damage upon the enemy, the newspaper reported.

The news of the attack near Ostend came in the wake of telegrams from the Front relaying correspondence that several Zeppelin sheds at Brussels had also been bombarded by allied aviators.

The raid which, according to the Echo reports of the time, was the first instance of a flight into the enemy’s territory made in complete darkness, was being highly celebrated as a “most remarkable exploit”.

Another interesting feature of today’s edition of the Daily Echo was a compelling letter that was received by Mr Lovatt, a Southern Daily Echo reader from Obelisk Road, Woolston, who shared his nephew’s letter with the paper’s readers.

The brief letter, dated December 17, was sent by Mr Lovatt’s nephew, who was a Company Sergeant-Major in the 2nd Yorkshire Regiment and gave a fascinating insight into life inside the trenches on the front line.

It also offered an insight into the bitter-sweet correspondence that many relatives, who were lucky enough to receive mail, would have treasured at this usually joyous time of year while their brave loved ones fought a bloody conflict far from home.

The writer, who remained remarkably upbeat despite his dire surroundings, says in the letter: “A few lines to answer your ever-welcome and cheerful letter, received last night. I am pleased to know you are both keeping well, and I trust I may have the pleasure of seeing you shortly.

"I am afraid it will not be this side of Christmas so you must accept my good wishes for a merry Christmas and a bright new year; also kindly convey the same to all my cousins when you are sending your greetings to them.

"We are able to get the latest English papers out here – only one day behind time – so we are in touch with all the news you received at home. At present we are very quiet, just dodging the German shells.”